Doll Doll Dolly Market Research!

Where do I begin? I guess I will start by saying my last business idea wasn't for me and I decided to put that on hold. I still want to achieve all that I had planned but unfortunately it would be far too demanding. I set out a few years ago to start an accessories label, but for some crazy creative reason I got sidetracked and started doing other things. I guess I am a little bit of a crazy creative scientist, always experimenting with new things. 

Annnnnywayyyy, I wrote in my last post of my intentions for Doll Doll Dolly and I have been working on a business plan this week. I hate being restricted to academic boring work, but if you want to succeed it has to be done! I just want to ask a few questions to my readers to help me through my market research. I find this pretty hard going as I prefer to be creative. If you wouldn't mind taking ten minutes out of you day to help me, I would be extremely grateful. 

When buying something for a special occasion would you rather buy something handmade? If so would you pay a little extra for something unique? 

Your wedding is one of the biggest days of you life! Would this be an occasion where you would seek out something individual? Would you again pay extra? 

Would you prefer to wear something in you hair that you could wear after your wedding? Or would you like to wear a traditional veil? 

Are you concerned with trends or do you like classic design?

Would you look for something on the high street or on an online market like Etsy? 

Do you like to support local business instead of large companies? 

When buying something for a special occasion what kind of item do you go for? 

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Thank you for reading.

Abbey x

My Etsy Shop!

I have finally found the time to upload new items to my Etsy shop just in time for Christmas! If you would like something in time for Christmas, please be aware that the Christmas post deadlines are looming. I have picked four items to show you, but please take a look at my shop for lots of new exciting items! 

Nautical Corsage Anchor Fascinator

This handmade Nautical style fascinator is bang on trend! Nautical style fashion has really become popular in the last few years, but remains individual and stylish. The corsage is made from red and black satin and netting. The Corsage is adorned with a cute anchor button which is attached to a larger black button. This Chic fascinator would look great in any colour hair to add a touch of fun to any outfit. The corsage measures around 5 inches including the netting. The corsage fixes to the hair with a barrette clip, which is sewn to the corsage, felt is fixed to the back for extra security and comfort. 

Scream Horror Cushion 

Handmade Scream! Don't open the door! Scream horror mask cushion! The cushion is handmade from pleather (fake leather) and is stuffed with soft stuffing. The cushion is an interpretation of the mask in the film.The cushion measures around 0.50 x 0.25 mLove horror? Then check out my other horror inspired goodies... Remember the rules!

Sugar Skull Corsage Hair Slides 

Two handmade mini corsage hair slides. The corsage is made up from cream, blue and red satin with a sugar skull button and pearl eyes. These cute hair slides would look great in any hair style and would add a little individuality.The mini corsage measures around 1 inch and the hair slide itself measures 2 inches.

   

Studded Jason Cushion & Jason Mask Cushion 

Love horror? Are you a Jason fan? Scare your friends and family with the Jason mask Cushion! The cushion is made from pleather (fake leather) and is stuffed with soft stuffing. The cushion is an interpretation of the mask in the film. This item can be made to order with or without studs (please see other mask in the DDD shop). This item is made to order and will take a day or so to make. 

I Heart Etsy

My favourite things on Etsy this week

Hand drawn 'Bite Me' shark plate by BrightonCrock  

"Brighton Crock is a collection of hand drawn illustrations on plates and other crockery. Each item is unique. The illustrations are inspired by living in Brighton and my love of all things odd and pretty; horror films and home furnishings are my passions! Making something plain and simply functional, like a plate or cup, in to something nice to look at is what BrightonCrock is all about." 

I absolutely love Brighton Crock! I am moving in February and I have already mentioned that I would love a 'Night of the Living Dead' Teapot! 

 I love this Birch screen printed wool  log cushions by MyImaginaryBoyfriend. Each log is screen printed and hand sewn to make these unique felt log cushions. 

"My imaginary boyfriend is the brain child of Erika Kern who got tired of waiting around for a boy to buy her the gifts she really wanted, so she started making them for herself. In 2005 she started selling her wares at various craft fairs. Her site myimaginaryboyfriend.com launched in 2006."

Cameo Screen Print by Haunted House Of Projcts  

I love this shop! It is full of gorgeous screen prints which are developed using the sun! Browse the shop and be blown away by Kathryn DiLego.

"I make loosey-goosey, lanky-clanky, limber-limbed lovely line drawings... and sometimes turn them into bold, confident, cartoon-colored, off-kilter, handpulled screen prints in my belovedly loopy city of Los Angeles. Like a form of productive dreaming, my obsessive yet relaxed drawings are both exploration and relief - how I deconstruct and reconstruct the constant visual input of waking life. My brain gets de-fragged, and makes art in the process!"

Dusty Pink Ceramic Coasters by Azulado 

These beautiful vintage inspired lace coasters come in a set of two. 

"These coasters, are made of white clay, textured with beautiful lace vintage crochet with floral motifs. after the firing of clay to 1040 degrees, I applied the glass with a brush, in tones of dusty pink and they returned to burn at 1100 degrees. Finally I lined them behind, with a sheet of cork, in order to they become slippery and not scratching the surfaces of furniture."

Etsy Shop

My Etsy shop will have lots of new goodies up by the end of next week; cushions, bags, wall/door hangers and lots more! I currently have fascinators, hair slides and headbands for sale which are all hand sewn by me! Keep an eye out for a handmade Christmas gift for a loved one at the  Doll Doll Dolly shop. I try to get all items out as quickly as possible which are sent in bubble wrap sleeves or wrapped parcels. Doll Doll Dolly will also have a stall at an upcoming event in Brighton, all details can be find at http://frightenbrighton.wordpress.com/.  I hope you all succeed in your Handmade Christmas this year! 

What's Doll Doll Dolly All About...

I thought I would explain what 'Doll Doll Dolly' means to me. A few years ago I decided I would start making things, but I didn't really have the confidence to show my work and it has taken a long time to get to this point. Ever since I was little I have been creative. I studied Textiles, Fine Art, Photography and Music at college and gained great skills for my creative future. I suffer with a confidence problem- I find it hard to put my work out there in due to fear of failure or people will think my work is rubbish. I was really motivated to work at the beginning of the year, but I had a really bad patch and put everything on hold. At last things have been picking up and I am a lot more confident in my abilities because of my boyfriend Dan, who constantly pushes me to keep working.

I have M.E, a condition which effects your energy levels and it can make life pretty tough. I have been unsuccessful in employment as I can't keep up and I slowly get run down. I really struggle with my concentration, so much so my favourite tool is my seam ripper. Life can be difficult at times, however one thing that keeps me going is my work and my determination to be 'someone'. I have noticed my health has improved over the last year and I can maintain a really fulfilling routine. 

I want to to make my dreams become a reality and I plan on making Doll Doll Dolly a success. I hope to get on the craft fair circuit, sell more on my online shop, and eventually open a shop with workshops and provide a platform for craft enthusiasts. This is a long road and it may not happen, but I want to make the first two a reality. So, here I go on my creative journey and I am putting it all on Blogger for you all to read.